Tasting Muskegon...

Ahhh ... and awww...

Food, to a large extent, is what holds a society together, and eating is closely linked to deep spiritual experiences. --Peter Farb

The fifth annual Taste of Muskegon happens this weekend (I know: already?!) and you really should attend, if you're anywhere near, as it's a great way to sample the cuisine of a place known for an intensely local variety of restaurants...

Not only will there be goodies from local restaurants and bakeries, a Taste Garden will offer samples of craft beer and wine. Michigan is well-known for both its wine and its beer around the country, even in areas world-famous for these libations (this surprised me somewhat, but it's true), and the West Michigan area alone has sprouted a host of good breweries in the past several years. Taste of Muskegon will feature a Food Expo stage with demonstrations as well.

Taste of Muskegon will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday (the Taste Garden will stay open until 10 p.m.) and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event itself is free; food will cost $1-$5, and beer and wine will be $1 per taste. Are you a parent? There will be a kids' area open all weekend. Come early Sunday to watch the Muskegon Main Street Car Show at 9 a.m.

See ya out sampling Muskegon; in the meantime, here's a taste of the area's offerings...

--Imaginer

You can't literally taste these turkeys ... but they are a taste of what's around town...

A taste of the fun street names...

Muskegon food in its beginning stages...